I don’t know if you knew but, January is national hot tea month! There couldn’t be a better time of the year to celebrate all the virtues of drinking tea, from its wonderful taste to its powerful health benefits. This is the time of the year for new beginnings, for setting new goals, for bettering ourselves. We are in the middle of the winter too and a steaming cup of hot tea is all we need for some comfort and rejuvenating but also for ultimate enjoyment.
So what kind of tea do you treat yourselves during these freezing cold days of January? In this post, I am sharing with you 10 absolutely delicious teas to help you step up your tea game this winter!
Because January calls for variety, vibrant tastes and stimulating aromas to keep you healthy and energetic while protecting your health! Happy National Hot Tea Month!
Chocolate Chai Black Tea
Could you imagine winter without a warm cup of sweet chai? This is among the favorites for cold mornings and afternoons when we are in need of a fragrant and warm beverage to comfort us. There are tons of chai blends out there but my number one recommendation for this January is this Chocolate Chai Black tea from Teavana. It contains just the right combination of ingredients like black tea, rooibos, Indian spice, vanilla, and.. CHOCOLATE FLAKES! How would you say no to a cup of this masterpiece? This must be the most brilliant chai blend I have ever had and you just have to try it (especially if you love chocolate)!
Earl Grey by Adagio
As ordinary and boring you may think this choice can be, to me, Earl Grey is the ultimate tea to enjoy during the winter. Earl Grey is not only ideal for high tea but an all day tea that you can enjoy with or without food and at any occasion. Black tea gives you always that caffeine kick you need in the morning or in the middle of the day and the tart bergamot orange flavor and fresh citrus aroma creates such an exhilarating experience. There are various Earl Grey teas that I enjoy, but one of the best blends I totally recommend for you to try (especially if you don’t like the bitterness of Earl Grey) is this Earl Grey moonlight tea by Adagio. This absolutely spectacular blend combines the traditional Earl Grey taste with comforting vanilla notes for a creamy, smooth and balanced flavor. Don’t forget the scones and clotted cream!!
Genmaicha
Genmaicha or “pop corn” tea is a popular Japanese tea that is also becoming popular worldwide. It consists of green tea with roasted brown rice and although it was originally drunk by poor Japanese only, it is consumed by everyone today. Genmaicha combines the fresh, grassy flavor of green tea with the naturally sweet taste and aroma of roasted rice. It’s mild, slightly sweet taste with nutty undertones and warm aroma make it the perfect cup of tea to have with a meal during a cold day. Some great Genmaicha teas I suggest are Teavana Gyokuro Genmaicha or Genmaicha by Adagio but you can also make you own delicious blend very easily at home (check how to here)!
S’mores Ooolong Tea
This is another delightful tea blend and yes! it is as delicious as it sounds! This s’mores oolong tea by Teavana contains oolong with white an dark chocolate pieces, bourbon vanilla, marshmallows, graham and spices for the most amazing dessert tea you had in a while! This whimsical blend is a must for movie nights this January. Its sweet and bright taste will remind you of campfires!
Pu-erh by Adagio
This treasured Chinese green tea is great iced or hot but for some reason I always think of it as the ultimate warming tea for winter. Pu-erh has the ability to relax you, calm your stomach and warm you up while it is a good source of antioxidants that can protect your health and it even aids in weight loss!! Pu-erh is not your regular tea. This is an aged tea, going through a natural fermentation process that gives it a complex, mature flavor that just accompanies perfect the cold days of January. It takes a lot of experimentation to learn this tea. You have to taste different kinds and familiarize yourself with different brands but some good recommendations are this Yunnan gold pu-erh and these pu-erh pearls that are large enough to brew a whole pot!
Yerba Mate by Adagio
Yerba mate tea is said to have the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate” all in one beverage. This traditional South American tea has been consumed for centuries for it’s amazing health properties which are attributed to its high concentration in polyphenols. Rich in caffeine, it can replace your morning coffee and boost your energy while enhancing your ability to focus. Mate tea is not only an antioxidant powerhouse but is also a very tasty tea that you have to make yourselves familiar with. You can either enjoy it plain or in various blends among which I suggest this oasted mate by Adagio and the new rejuvenate Wellness tea by Teavana which combines Yerba mate, black tea, rooibos and spices for a quick and effective pick me up!
Winterberry Tea Blend
We may be in the middle of the winter but who doesn’t crave fruity and floral flavors? This winterberry tea blend by Teavana is a great herbal tea to enjoy this month. It includes dried fruit such as apples, pineapple, papaya, rose hips and hibiscus flowers and spices for a very rejuvenating and calming experience. This is a slightly sweet tea so you don’t need to add a lot of sweetener. I love it with just a bit of cream and a drop of Hawaiian honey.
Uji Matcha from Adagio
My last recommendation couldn’t be nothing else than the greatest of all green teas, Matcha green tea! This powdered green tea is an addiction to many. It has a bright green color and pungent, vegetal taste, it is rich in antioxidants that make it a superfood and can protect and improve your health! You can use it in so many ways from tea to lattes to desserts but since it is national hot tea month I think you should drink it pure and prepare it traditionally. For this reasons I suggest you opt for a premium quality ceremonial matcha such as Uji Matcha from Adagio. Just which it well and remember always drink it from a bowl!
What tea will you celebrate this January with?